Sec. 27-110. Purpose.

This article establishes a city drought preparedness and response plan.

(Ord. No. 10380, § 1, 3-20-07)

Sec. 27-111. Declaration of policy.

It is hereby declared that, because of varying conditions related to water resource supply and distribution system capabilities during drought, it is necessary to establish and to enforce drought response stages and drought response measures to ensure that the water resources available to the city are put to the maximum beneficial use; that unreasonable use, or unreasonable method of use is prevented; and that conservation of water is accomplished in the interests of the customers of the city and for the public health, safety, and welfare.

(Ord. No. 10380, § 1, 3-20-07)

Sec. 27-112. Application.

   (a)   This article applies to all departments of the city, and to all city water customers who own, occupy, or control water use on any premises as defined in section 27-10.

   (b)   No person shall make, cause, use, or permit the use of water received from the department for residential, commercial, industrial, governmental or any other purpose in any manner contrary to any provision in this article.

   (c)   Mandatory drought response measures shall be implemented based upon the declaration of drought response stages pursuant to section 27-115.

(Ord. No. 10380, § 1, 3-20-07)

Sec. 27-113. Declaration of drought response stages, implementation, termination.

   (a)   Stage 1 or Stage 2 drought response will be declared by the city manager, or any designee, on the advice of the director. A Stage 3 or Stage 4 drought response will be declared by the mayor and council, or any designee, upon the recommendation of the city manager.

   (b)   The director shall develop guidelines which set forth general criteria to assist the city manager or mayor and council, or any designee, in determining drought response stages.

   (c)   Following the declaration of any drought response stage, the department will implement appropriate response actions, including but not limited to public notification and various drought response measures.

   (d)   The director will continually monitor drought conditions and promptly recommend that the drought stage level increase if conditions worsen. Similarly, the director will advise the city manager to rescind Stage 1 or 2, or to recommend termination of Stage 3 or 4, if warranted by lessened drought conditions.

(Ord. No. 10380, § 1, 3-20-07)

Sec. 27-114. Triggers for each drought response stage.

Each drought response stage will be triggered by specific conditions related to the availability of Colorado River water as determined by the tier elevations of Lake Mead pursuant to the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan adopted between the United States and non-federal parties:

   (a)   Drought Response Stage 1/Drought Contingency Plan Tier 0 trigger: When the United States Bureau of Reclamation projects that the water level in Lake Mead on January 1 of any calendar year will be between 1090' and 1075' above sea level.

   (b)   Drought Response Stage 2/Drought Contingency Plan Tier 1 trigger: When the United States Bureau of Reclamation projects that the water level in Lake Mead on January 1 of any calendar year will be below 1075' above sea level.

   (c)   Drought Response Stage 3/Drought Contingency Plan Tier 2 trigger: When the United States Bureau of Reclamation projects that the water level in Lake Mead on January 1 of any calendar year will be below 1045' above sea level.

   (d)   Drought Response Stage 4/Drought Contingency Plan Tier 3 trigger: When the United States Bureau of Reclamation projects that the water level in Lake Mead on January 1 of any calendar year will be below 1025' above sea level or the volume of water delivered by the Central Arizona Project to Tucson Water is less than annual potable demand.

(Ord. No. 10380, § 1, 3-20-07; Ord. No. 11794, § 1, 10-20-20)